Along with everyone else, Cedars-Sinai is assessing the impact of the many changes occurring in our healthcare delivery system. While the implementation of the Affordable Care Act is just beginning, we are already seeing a number of meaningful alterations in the "business side" of medicine.

Cedars-Sinai pediatric surgeons have been embarking on overseas trips to perform transformative operations on children who have no specialists in their homeland. At the same time, our surgeons mentor the local surgeons with limited operative experience to help raise their skill level and independence.

Bruce L. Gewertz, MD, delivered a lecture this month about the importance of surgeons finding satisfaction in their work, telling the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons that greater fulfillment can keep physicians happier and in the workforce longer.

Due to the risks associated with the use of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions, and the availability of safer and equally efficacious alternatives, the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee has approved the removal of Hespan from the formulary.